End of an Era: AOL to Discontinue Dial-Up Service by 2025
AOL is discontinuing its long-standing dial-up internet service, a primary access method for many Americans in the 1990s and early 2000s, effective September 30, 2025.
AOL is finally shutting down its dial-up internet service
Associated Press
AOL to discontinue dial-up internet service
Fox Business
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Overview
- AOL is discontinuing its long-standing dial-up internet service, which was a primary method for many Americans to access the internet during the 1990s and early 2000s.
- This decision marks the end of an era for AOL, which peaked at over 23 million subscribers, providing essential online features like instant messaging and email to millions.
- The dial-up service, along with associated software such as the AOL Dialer and AOL Shield browser, will cease to be supported by the company.
- Users currently relying on AOL's dial-up connection will no longer have access to the service after the specified discontinuation date, requiring them to find alternative providers.
- The official end date for AOL's dial-up internet service and its related software support is set for September 30, 2025, giving users time to transition.
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Analysis
Center-leaning sources cover the story of AOL's dial-up shutdown with a largely neutral and informative tone, focusing on its historical significance and the natural progression of technology. They provide factual context regarding its decline and current usage, avoiding loaded language that would suggest a particular bias or agenda.
"AOL is shutting down the dial-up service that introduced homes across the US to the internet."
BBC News"The September 30 shutdown date gives remaining dial-up users just over one month now to find alternative Internet access—a challenge for those in areas where alternatives don't exist."
ARS Technica"AOL’s dial-up internet is finally taking its last bow."
Associated Press"The old internet is dying in so many ways."
Gizmodo"It's the end of an online era: AOL will end its dial-up internet service next month after decades in use."
CBS NewsArticles (8)
Center (5)
FAQ
AOL decided to discontinue its dial-up service as part of routine evaluations of its products, with the likely reason being the widespread availability of faster internet connections making dial-up obsolete.
Users relying on AOL's dial-up service will lose access and will need to transition to alternative internet providers or connection methods before the discontinuation date.
AOL's dial-up service launched in 1991 and peaked around 1999-2000 with over 23 to 30 million subscribers, becoming one of the largest internet service providers.
Alongside the dial-up service, AOL will discontinue support for the AOL Dialer software and the AOL Shield browser by September 30, 2025.
As of recent estimates, a small number of Americans, around a few hundred thousand, still use dial-up internet, largely in rural areas where broadband is limited.
History
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